and ron is here with that. >> this happened in the mountains of southern california. it started looking like an innocent sledding outing for a while. then, suddenly, everything changed and went awry. the screams say it all. you're watching new video of a sledding excursion gone horribly wrong. the whole thing starts with a man falls into a freezing cold lake. and then, a chain reaction of sorts. one person after another, trying desperately to save him. and one person after another, getting sucked into the frigid water, like a black hole. >> throw the rope out. lasso. >> reporter: as the clock ticks, more men, women and children try to come to the rescue, only to slip into the ice themselves. a crowd gathered on the shore, as well, frantically screaming for help. >> call 911. right now. >> reporter: after five minutes, nearly a dozen people are in the water. while others throw ropes and inner tubes to no avail. >> give me the rope from under the seat. now. >> reporter: mickey herman pulled double duty. you can hear him calling for the rope, all the while capturing the